Csaba Keeps Hot Streak Alive in Hal's Hope

Favored Csaba ran his stakes winning streak to four and likely stamped his ticket to next month's Donn Handicap (gr. I) with his victory in the $100,000 Hal's Hope (gr. III) Jan. 13 at Gulfstream Park. Angled deftly to the rail mid-stretch by Luis Saez, 9-5 shot Csaba rallied to get the lead in the final strides of the one-turn mile event for older horses, holding off the strong-closing Pool Play for a neck victory. The final time was 1:35.69 over a fast track.